title: Distinct patterns of cytokine secretion characterize new onset synovitis versus chronic rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare patterns of cytokine secretion in patients with new onset synovitis (< 1 yr duration, n = 14), chronic rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (n = 16), and healthy controls (n = 17).
  
  
  METHODS
  ELIspot assays were used to detect mononuclear cells in the peripheral blood (PMBC) and synovial fluid (SFMC) secretion the type 1 cytokines interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), the type 2 cytokines IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10, and the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Results were correlated with measures of disease activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with new onset synovitis had increased (p < 0.05) numbers of PBMC secreting IL-2. The number of PBMC secreting IFN-gamma correlated with the joint score in the new onset synovitis population (p = 0.006). By comparison, patients with chronic RA had significantly increased numbers of PBMC secreting IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-alpha (p < 0.05). The production of these cytokines correlated with joint score in chronic RA (p = 0.008, 0.06, 0.001, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with new onset synovitis have increased numbers of PBMC secreting IL-2 and IFN-gamma, while patients with chronic RA have increased numbers of PBMC secreting IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-alpha. Correlations between joint score and number of PBMC secreting cytokines suggest the number of PBMC secreting IFN-gamma is most relevant in new onset synovitis, while the number of PBMC secreting IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-alpha is of greater relevance in chronic RA.
authors.affiliation: Arthritis and Rheumatism Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA. kkanik@coml.med.usf.edu
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kanik
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hagiwara
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Yarboro
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Schumacher
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Wilder
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Klinman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013585:Synovitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines